Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Protests in July-August 2024 escalated into widespread violent disorder.
Conclusion
We received no evidence to dispute the characterisation of violent disorder between 30 July and 7 August 2024. Many events held during this period began as protests and remained as such. But while some instances of disorder may have originated as protests, they quickly degenerated into violence. In some cases the chosen sites of protests, such as asylum hotels, were at best controversial and at worst an incitement to violence. Police were left with no choice but to prepare for and provide a strong response. We commend the bravery and professionalism of those officers who worked for long hours in extremely difficult circumstances, many of them suffering injury and other trauma. (Conclusion, Paragraph 6) Social media mis- and disinformation
Government Response Summary
The government details the CPS's specific actions to review and update the Media Protocol, including a public consultation launched in January 2025 and an intention to publish the revised guidance in autumn 2025, alongside supporting proposals for law reform on contempt.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The CPS supported the committee to scrutinise the process by which information was shared with the public following the appalling attack in Southport last year. The Media Protocol is a joint agreement with CPS, policing and the media which provides guidance for how prosecution material in criminal trial proceedings is shared with the media. The CPS is currently reviewing and updating the protocol with policing and media to ensure it takes account of changes to legislation, policy and the media landscape to clearly set out what information or prosecution material can be released to the media. This work began before the 2024 summer disorder began. A public consultation seeking views on a revised draft Media Protocol and User Guidance was launched in January 2025 and closed in March 2025. This is now in the process of reviewing all the responses we received and working with partners to agree an updated version of the protocol. The intention is to publish the revised media protocol and user guidance in autumn, alongside a summary of the consultation responses, with supporting training and communication to ensure there is a clear understanding of the protocol and its use. The protocol will be kept under joint review. Alongside this, the CPS supports proposals for law reform which will make the application of contempt law clearer and simpler – especially when linked to heightened matters of general public interest such as public safety or national security. The CPS has responded to the Law Commission’s supplementary consultation in full. 2. Policing response to the disorder